System and method for reduction of power consumption and emissions of marine vessels

Abstract

A marine vessel, system, and process provides for reducing or eliminating fuel consumption and emissions of marine vessels. System and method for charging an electricity storage element of an energy storage system of a floating marine vessel may include applying a power source from a marine platform to an electrical power bus of the floating vessel to charge the electricity storage element. A power generator of the marine vessel configured to supply electrical power to the power bus may be configured from an ON state to an OFF state.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for charging an electricity storage element of an energy storage system of a stationary, free-floating marine vessel, said method comprising:
 applying a power source from a marine platform to an electrical power bus of the free-floating vessel to charge the electricity storage element; 
 transitioning a power generator of the stationary, free-floating marine vessel and configured to supply electrical power to the power bus from an ON state to an OFF state; 
 maintaining position and heading of the marine vessel by actuating electric thrusters of the marine vessel to cause the marine vessel to be maintained in the stationary position relative to the marine platform, the electric thrusters being powered by the energy storage system of the marine vessel; and 
 in response to determining that the power source is unable to deliver sufficient power to charge the electricity storage element, transitioning the power generator of the marine vessel from the OFF state to a charging state. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying a power source from a marine platform include supplying a power source via a flexible cable. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein applying a power source via a flexible cable includes applying a power source via a flexible cable operated by a crane on the marine platform. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein maintaining position and heading includes:
 sensing position and heading of the marine vessel; and 
 applying control signals to the electric thrusters to cause one or more of the electric thrusters to transition from a first state to a second state to maintain the stationary position of the marine vessel relative to the marine platform. 
 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying a power source from a marine platform includes applying the power source from an offshore oil rig. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein determining that the power source is unable to deliver sufficient power to charge the electricity storage element includes:
 monitoring power level of the electricity storage element; 
 monitoring power load being drawn from the power bus; and 
 in response to determining that the power load of the electric thrusters is above a threshold based on an amount of power being received from the power source and electricity charge of the electricity storage element, generating a power activation signal to cause the power generator of the marine vessel to transition from an OFF state to an ON state. 
 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising operating the power generator when in the charging station at a power level less than a power level used to propel the marine vessel during operation when in the ON state. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein operating the power generator in a charging state includes operating the power generator at a frequency below 60 Hz. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein maintaining position and heading includes maintaining position in heading relative to the marine platform. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 9 , wherein maintaining relative position and heading includes maintaining relative position and heading from a floating marine platform.